Brady Bacon led 29 1/2 laps of the Corn Belt Clash USAC National Sprint Car race Saturday night at the Knoxville Raceway, however, he failed to lead the most important half-lap of the race as Jake Swanson drove by Bacon in turn three and held on for the win. The track had taken rubber, and Bacon was struggling to control his car. Swanson in the last couple of laps inched closer to Bacon who went nearly unchallenged until the last quarter mile. Swanson was able to position his car for the win.

Swanson told KNIA/KRLS, the way the rubber came in, it was a key for him.

Swasnon: “The rubber started to come as hard as it did, and that could become a game changer. All of a sudden the car came in, and Brady was running good and all of a sudden I was catching him and I didn’t know if it was the tire or something else.

Bacon had to settle for second. In the weekly 410 A-Main…Brian Brown wanted to win for his grandfather…who a year ago was having heart surgery. Brown passed Justin Henderson late in the race…and pulled away to claim his second win of 2023 at the Knoxville Raceway. This week, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars come to town for another two night show.